From The Front...

Welcome to my weekly newsletter

October 2, 2026

Welcome to my weekly newsletter, From the Front, where I provide a quick update on what I've been working on in Washington, D.C., and back home in Arkansas's Third Congressional District.

HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT

It was a productive week meeting with people in the Third District who are working to strengthen the infrastructure we depend on. From fire stations to water systems, these projects are essential to keeping our communities safe and prepared for the future. Here’s a status report on some projects that may impact you.

In Pea Ridge, I met with Mayor Nathan See and his leadership team—including Fire Chief Clint Bowen, City Clerk Sandy Button, Police Chief Lynn Hahn, Street Department Director Monte Keene, Library Director Wendy Martin, Parks Director Kaleb Turner, and Water Utility Director Jake Wagner—to discuss plans for their new fire station. I secured $2.75 million through the appropriations process in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 to help fund its construction, and it was great to see how the city plans to provide our first responders with the kind of facility they need to best serve their community.

Van Buren Mayor Joe Hurst and I discussed the city’s priorities and what lies ahead in the appropriations process. In my FY 2027 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill, I secured $5 million for bridge improvements in Van Buren. When I get back to Washington, I’ll be eager to get this bill across the finish line. Also joining us for lunch were Police Chief Jonathan Wear, Fire Chief Tim Arnold, Crawford County Judge Chris Keith, Marty Shell, Julie Murray with the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce, and City Council member Tonia Fry.

At Lake Wedington, I had the opportunity to see how the $4.7 million in federal funding I secured in FY 2024 is being used to make necessary upgrades to the infrastructure at the Recreation Area. I’m glad to see this project in motion and look forward to the day Lake Wedington can reopen for the public to enjoy. Thanks for showing me around, Forest Supervisor Dan Olsen, Deputy Forest Supervisor Craig McBroome, Planning and Public Services Staff Officer Amy Bury, Boston Mountain and Mount Magazine District Ranger Allen Smith, and Public Affairs Specialist Caroline Mitchell.

Finally, I visited Beaver Water District (BWD) with BWD CEO Lane Crider to see progress on their new water treatment plant, which will help meet Northwest Arkansas’s growing demand for water. Reliable access to safe, clean water is fundamental to a thriving community, and I’m committed to continuing my work to ensure the Third District has the resources and infrastructure it needs to grow.

Scroll down to Photo Highlights to see who else I met with this week.

CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT

This week’s constituent spotlight goes to the cadets in Van Buren High School’s Army JROTC program.

I had the opportunity to speak with these cadets earlier this week about the choices they are making today to invest in their tomorrow. Many are already considering paths that include military service, higher education, and continued leadership development.

Among them, Cadet Major Kelsey Kimberling has committed to serve in the United States Marine Corps and already has her occupational specialty, search and rescue. She ships out in June 2027 after high school graduation.

In addition, Cadet Command Sergeant Major Thomas Somphounout is pursuing service in the Army Reserve as a 68W Combat Medic. After graduation, he plans to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) to study mechanical engineering and participate in the Army ROTC program.

Few things make me prouder than seeing young people step up to serve their country and prepare to be the next generation of leaders. I enjoyed visiting with these cadets and hearing about their goals, their commitment to service, and the paths they are pursuing.

Thank you to 1SG (Ret.) Gerald Phillips and the Van Buren JROTC for hosting me this week.

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

While I was at Van Buren High School (VBHS), I also got a tour of the Pointer Activity Complex, the school district’s 28,125-square-foot indoor practice facility, as well as their new wrestling and band facilities. Thanks to Superintendent Dr. Harold Jeffcoat, VBHS Principal Chris Bryant, VBHS Band Director Ron Smith, and VBHS Wrestling Coach John Petree for the invite and warm welcome.

It was a pleasure to meet the incredible students at the brand-new Prairie Grove Junior High School, including Tracie Ashley’s 8th grade social studies class. Ms. Ashley was recently named the Prairie Grove School District’s Teacher of the Year, and the caliber of her students is a testament to her hard work. I appreciated my student tour guides, as well as Superintendent Luke Humphreys, Principal Jennifer Hoskins, and Assistant Principal Nicholas Sugg for inviting me to see their new school.

I had the chance to visit the Cedarville Wellness Center with Cedarville Mayor Debby Pinkerton, River Valley Primary Care Services CEO Jerry White, Nikki McKinney with River Valley Primary Care Services, as well as Medical Assistant Kenzie, APRN Kourtney, and Erin who serves as the clinic liaison with the Cedarville schools. This clinic operates as a school-based health clinic in partnership with River Valley Primary Care Services. I enjoyed learning more about how students, staff, and members of the community benefit from the accessible healthcare that the Wellness Center provides.

INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION

After visiting Van Buren High School and Prairie Grove Junior High School, I wanted to share with you how I'm working in Washington to invest in our youth.

In last year’s budget reconciliation package, the Working Families Tax Cuts law, I voted to expand 529 plans and make them more flexible for families. These tax-advantaged accounts help families cover expenses associated with their child's education. Before last year, 529 plans could generally only be used to pay for more traditional education paths such as college tuition and fees and certain K-12 expenses up to $10,000 per year. I voted to expand these parameters to cover more education-related expenses including professional credentialing and certification programs, in addition to doubling the annual withdrawal limit to help folks pay for K-12 expenses.

These changes enhance the affordability of education, providing more opportunities for our children and equipping our future workforce. Educating our young people is one of the most important investments we can make and 529 plans remain a valuable tool to help families save for their children’s future.

The budget reconciliation package also created Trump Accounts, a new type of individual retirement account for children. And, for every child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, the federal government will contribute $1,000 to their account.

By enabling the next generation to begin building wealth from birth, we create more opportunities for them later in life. When children turn 18, the account becomes theirs. They can allow their savings to continue growing or use the funds to pay for education or for purchase of their first home.

Beyond these investments in our children’s education and financial future, I’ve been proud to champion improved access to pediatric healthcare across our district—whether it’s securing $1 million in FY 2027 Community Project Funding for pediatric dental care access, supporting programs that develop treatments for rare pediatric diseases, or ensuring our region has enough pediatricians to serve our families. A healthy future is essential, and I look forward to continuing to invest in these efforts.

Every child in the Third District deserves the opportunity to succeed, and I will continue my work in Congress to make that happen.

WHAT DO YOU THINK

Now I want to hear from you.

Before reading today's newsletter, how familiar were you with Trump Accounts or the new guidance for 529 plans?